Ectopic Ventricular Tachycardia, Hypokalemia and Convulsions in Alcoholics

Abstract

In 2 cases of chronic alcoholism, convulsions, hyperventilation and ventricular tachycardia occurred concomitantly with a decrease in serum K levels. Restoration of the serum K level in both patients was followed by reversion of the ecg to sinus rhythm and cessation of the convulsions. A mechanism is presented which logically associates these signs and might explain the sudden ''death by exposure'' observed in alcoholics without clinical evidence of heart disease.